Lovely childcare

[For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Four-year-olds are starting to interact more with their friends, which also means they experience more inner conflicts.

Be sure to include lots of fun activities and create times when everyone can laugh together.

In addition to outdoor play, it’s great to do plenty of games indoors so children can move their bodies and minds to the fullest.

Indoor play and games aren’t affected by the weather, so it’s reassuring to have a wide variety ready.

This time, we’re introducing a range of games—from classics to ones that engage the body and the mind.

We hope you enjoy a wonderful time filled with the children’s cheerful voices.

[For 4-year-olds] A collection of indoor play and game ideas that will get everyone excited (61–70)

Pasta Twirling Race

[After-school Day Service] Pasta Wrapping Race! 🍝

Pasta Twirling Race

Here’s a perfect indoor activity: the Spinning Pasta Race! Prepare “pasta” by attaching yarn to a paper plate with tape.

On the end of the yarn that isn’t taped down, attach a cardboard tube from a roll of plastic wrap.

During the race, hold the tube and twist it to wind up the yarn.

It’s a fun competition to see who can wind the yarn—your pretend pasta—onto the tube the fastest.

To make it even more exciting, place a cutout of an animal with its mouth open between the paper plate and the tube, and set up a little sign that makes it look like the animal is eating.

Racing each other could be extra fun, too!

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Sorting Game

Sorting Game with Three Colored Balls That Rapidly Boosts Reaction Skills | After-School Day Service in Morioka City

Sorting Game

Let me introduce a sorting game.

Prepare three colors of balls—red, blue, and yellow—and one red box and one blue box.

Catch the ball the teacher throws, and move your body as follows: put red balls in the red box, blue balls in the blue box, and do not catch yellow balls—dodge them instead.

Repeating this movement continuously helps develop reaction skills.

Start with slow throwing speed, and as you get used to it, it’s recommended to increase the speed to make it more fun.

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Number Touch Game

[Therapeutic Play Introduction] Number Touch Game #AfterSchoolDayService #NurseryTeacher #ChildcareWorker #Kanagawa

Number Touch Game

Let me introduce a number-touch game where you touch numbers posted on the wall.

Prepare by writing numbers on pieces of paper and sticking them randomly on the wall.

Have the children memorize the positions of the numbers on the wall.

The teacher calls out a number, and the children touch that number—this is the game.

It also helps train memory and reaction speed by remembering where the called number is.

Adjust the height of the numbers to match the children’s reach and give it a try.

You can also make the numbers easier to remember by using different colors of paper or other creative touches.

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Copycat game

Let's try it with the teacher! Copycat Game♪

Copycat game

Let’s have fun with body mimicry! Here are some ideas for a copycat game that’s sure to make everyone smile.

While copying the teacher’s movements, strike unique poses like animals or heroes and play together.

You’ll find yourselves laughing and saying, “What is this?!” as you move your bodies.

While playing, kids build flexibility and balance, and the best part is learning through fun—“Can you really do this pose?” You might even discover some unexpected moves!

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Chestnut Ogre

'Chestnut Tag (Kuri-Oni)': Hugely popular with both preschoolers and elementary school kids! Introducing a tag game perfect for livening things up—also ideal as a warm-up!!

Chestnut Ogre

A tag game perfect for autumn! Here’s an idea called Chestnut Tag (Kuri Oni).

It’s similar to Freeze Tag, but the twist is that you transform into a chestnut! Choose one person to be ‘it’ (the oni), and everyone else runs to avoid being tagged.

If you’re about to be tagged, you can transform into a chestnut to create a barrier.

If a teammate touches you, you can start running again.

However, if you get tagged before transforming into a chestnut, move to the spectator area.

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Seated tag

[Indoor Active Play] Have Fun with Seated Tag [Elementary School Kids]

Seated tag

“We can’t play outside because of the rain, but I still want to move my body as much as possible today!” In times like these, here’s a childcare-friendly game we recommend: “Seated Tag.” First, the children start in a seated position.

The rule is that they must keep their bottoms on the floor at all times.

Set a time limit, then play tag while staying seated.

Since it doesn’t involve running, it’s safe and fun to play indoors.

It also helps build leg strength as kids move using their legs and bottoms, so be sure to add it to your play repertoire!

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centipede ogre

@yokohama_rs
#Centipede Demon (Mukade Oni)Recreation Children's Play #Sports Childcare Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Technical college Yokohama #RizospoLet's give it a try!Agility Training
♬ Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! – Vengaboys

Move nimbly and avoid danger! Here’s an idea for a game called Centipede Tag.

You probably know there are many types of tag, like Freeze Tag and Color Tag.

Have you heard of Centipede Tag, where you work together with teammates to escape the tagger? Assign one person as the tagger, and everyone else is on the centipede team.

The centipede players place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front and stay connected without letting go.

When the last person in the centipede gets tagged, the tagger switches.

It’s tough to escape from a freely moving tagger, but by cooperating, the centipede team will build strong bonds.

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